Roller bearing cage



. Sept. 13, 1938. c. 5. BROWN ROLLER BEARING CAGE Filed Sept. 11, 1955 Patented Sept. 13, 1938 Application September 2 Claims.

- the heads of the cage are connected together by a tie bar integral with both heads, and also by additional tie bars, one of which is integral with one head only and independently secured to the other head, and another of which is integral with the latter head and independently secured to the former head.

It further has for its object a sheet metal cage formed from a single blank with spaces between the tie bars for a maximum number of rollers.

It further has for its object a single piece sheet metal cage which can be struck from a sheet with a minimum of waste material.

The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations and constructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawing in which like characters designate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figures 1 and 2 are, respectively, end and side elevations of this roller bearing.

Figure 3 is an enlarged inner face elevation looking toward one of the heads with some of the rollers being shown in end elevation and others in cross section, the tie bar integral with both heads of the cage being shown in section, the tie bar integral with one head only being shown in end elevation, and a similar tie bar integral with the other head only being omitted.

Figure 4 is a sectional view on line 4-4, Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the blank from which the head is formed.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary plan view of the sheet of metal from which the blanks are stamped showing the out-lines of the blanks thereon and the arrangement by which there is a minimum amount of waste material.

This invention comprises a roller bearing in- 45 eluding cage and rollers assembled in the cage,

the cage being of a one-piece sheet metal structure comprising opposing heads in which the ends of the rollers are mounted, a tie bar integral with both heads, and a tie bar integral with each 50 head and secured at its end remote from the head with which it is integral to the other head.

The invention further comprises a one-piece blank including ring portions, which, when the blank is formed up, constitute the heads of the cage, a bar extending diametrically of the ring 11, 1935, Serial No. 40,125

portions and integral with both, a bar extending radially from each ring portion and integral therewith and at an angle approximately of 120 to the diametrical line of the former bar, and located on opposite sides of such diametrical line, whereby the blank is in the general form of a letter Z with the ring portions at the apex of the angles of the leg and arms of the Z.

I and 2 designate the heads of the cage, these being fiat rings having openings 3 therein for receiving the axles 4 at the ends of the rollers 5.

6 designates the tie bar common to or integral with both heads, and I and 8 designate respectively the tie bars integral with the heads I and 2 respectively, and each secured at its end remote from the head with which it is integral to the other head. That is, the end of the bar I is integral with the head I and secured to the head 2. The bar 8 is integral with the head 2 and secured to the head I. The heads I, 2 are provided with openings as 9, II], for receiving the ends of the bars 8, 1, respectively. The bars 1 and 8 may be secured to the heads 2 and I in any suitable manner, usually by riveting or welding.

As seen in Figures 5 and 6, the blank is formed from a sheet to have ring portions which, when the blank is formed up, provide the heads I, 2, the bar extending diametrically of both ring portions and integral therewith and which provide the tie bar Ii, the bar integral with the ring portion constituting the head I and extending in a radial line at an angle of about 120 to the diametrical line of the bar 6 of the blank, and constituting the tie bar 1, when the blank is formed up, and the bar integral with the ring portion which forms the head 2 and extending radially therefrom at an angle of about 120 on the opposite side of the diametrical line of the bar 6, and providing the tie bar 8.

The blanks are stamped out from the sheet, after the manner about as shown in Figure 6. It is obvious that a maximum number of blanks can be struck from a sheet with minimum of waste. The blank of the form shown in Figure 5 is folded so that the ring portions are opposed to each other to form the heads I, 2 or folded into position at a right angle to the bar 6, the bars 1, 8 are folded into position at a right angle to the heads I, 2. Thus, as shown, a cage is provided with three tie bars with a space for three rollers between any two tie bars. The tie bars are depressed or formed trough-shaped in cross section in order to bring them within a circle enclosing the series of rollers and tangent thereto.

Each bar 6, "I and 8 is formed with a trough of lengthwise corrugations to stiffen and strengthen it. The folding line of each bar at approximately the line X is outside the circle of the perforations 3, indicated by the arc Y, so that the perforations of the heads come in axial alinement when the heads and bars are folded.

What I claim is:

1. A one-piece sheet metal cage for roller bearings comprising opposing annular heads, a tie bar integral with both heads, a tie, bar integral with one head and secured at its endremote from the head with which it is integral to the other head,

and a tie bar integral with said other head and.

and fastened to the first head.

secured at its end remote therefrom to said one head, the heads being formed with an'annularr series of perforations for receiving axles at the ends of the roller, the folding line of the tie bars being located outside the circle of the annular series of perforations, whereby the perforations of the heads are in axial alinement when the heads and bars are folded into the cage formation.

2. A cage construction for roller bearings comprising annular heads, a tie bar integral with both heads and connecting the same, and a pair of additional tie bars connecting the heads, one of the pair being integral with one head and fastened to the other head, and the other tie bar ofthe pair being integral with the other head CHARLES S. BROWN. 

